Italy (Lombardy)
Published on 5 December 2024
From Lecco along the lake to Colico and into Valtellina, then the Foppa pass with its Marco Pantani monument, the Vivione pass, the Via Mala and the Orrido di Castro on Lake Iseo, returning via Selvino.
A motorcycle itinerary through Valtellina, the Orobie pre-Alps and Lake Iseo: from Lecco you follow the lake to Colico, ride through the vineyards of Valtellina, climb the Mortirolo (Passo della Foppa) with its monument to Marco Pantani, tackle the wild Vivione Pass and the Via Mala, pass the Orrido di Castro and return via the spectacular Nembro–Selvino road, famous for its wide hairpins.
You start in Lecco and follow the lake to Colico, then head towards Sondrio through the vineyards of Valtellina as far as Mazzo, where the climb to the pass begins.
The Passo della Foppa, known to everyone as the Mortirolo, is one of the most famous passes in the Italian Alps, linking Valtellina with upper Val Camonica. It is famous above all among cyclists as one of the toughest and most iconic climbs of the Giro d’Italia, and its name is mostly linked to the Mazzo di Valtellina side.
The road has average gradients of 10–12%, with stretches above 18–20%, among woods and meadows with spectacular mountain views. At 1,852 metres stands the monument to Marco Pantani. From there you descend towards Malonno.
The Vivione Pass, at 1,828 metres in the Orobie Alps, links the Val di Scalve with Val Camonica. The road is narrow and winding, with views of unspoilt mountain scenery among woods, meadows and little streams.
Precisely because the road is so narrow, traffic is light: it is loved for its natural beauty and tranquillity and is also a starting point for hiking trails in the Orobie.
From the Vivione you descend into the Val di Scalve and, past Dezzo, enter the Via Mala, an ancient scenic road through the valley. It is a rocky gorge carved by the river Dezzo, with sheer walls and overhanging passages that create a wild and impressive setting; the historic route, now restored and walkable, links Angolo Terme with Scalvino.
Its name, from the Latin for “bad road”, recalls how difficult and dangerous the original route was. Along the way you find bridges, tunnels and breathtaking views of the canyon.
The Orrido di Castro is a natural gorge near the village of Castro, on the north-western shore of Lake Iseo, carved over millennia by the Dezzo stream between imposing rock walls.
You can see it from the bridge on the road between Lovere and Costa Volpino, with waterfalls, natural pools and a wild atmosphere. It is not equipped for close-up visits, but it is a true hidden gem of the Bergamo area.
The loop ends at Zorzino and you return via the road climbing from Nembro to Selvino, one of the best known in the area: about 11 hairpins over roughly 10 kilometres, with an average gradient of 6–7%, through woods and with spectacular views over the valley and the Orobie pre-Alps.
It is paved and well maintained, rideable in every season, though in winter you need care because of possible icy patches. At Selvino you find a welcoming resort with splendid views.
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